Celebrities capture 2012’s big pop culture moments on Twitter

Think you know how celebrities reacted to big pop culture moments during the past 12 months? We dove deep into the depths of Twitter to find posts ranging from Twinkies to Taylor Swift, all put out by familiar famous faces. Have you been paying attention? Can you guess which celebrity tweeted what? Take the quiz and find out.
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Twinkies

Hostess announced it was closing its doors in November and lots of Americans, including celebrities, got vocal about it (at least in their tweets). One actor in particular decided to beg the commander in chief for help in a tweet, with the hashtags #HoHosArePeopleToo and #FruitPiesForever. Hint: he played a senator on TV.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6783748.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6783748/">Which celeb asked for a Twinkie intervention from the president ?</a></noscript>
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Rob Lowe

If you guessed Rob Lowe, you were right! We don’t think his plea for a pardon from bankruptcy worked, since we're all without fresh Twinkies, but we respect the actor just the same. Check out his tweets below.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I'm not kidding. If Hostess goes under I will mourn. And wear a black arm band. In the shape of a Chocodile. Then, I will try to eat it.</p>&mdash; Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobLowe/status/269551892001079296" data-datetime="2012-11-16T21:25:53+00:00">November 16, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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AP

The women’s gymnastics team became part of the year’s pop culture stratosphere on July 31, after taking home a gold in the team portion of the London Olympic games.

Pictured: The team’s members (from left), Jordyn Weiber, Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and Kyla Ross accepted their gold medals and waved to fans atop the podium at the London Olympics.

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Yes, Ryan Seacrest attempted to do a split (and apparently had trouble getting up). The radio and TV personality, who will be hosting “Dick Clark’s New Year’ Eve” this year, tweeted a photo of his efforts on July 26. We wonder if his girlfriend and dancer-extraordinaire, Julianne Hough, gave him any pointers. Check out the photo for yourself in his tweet.

Six-year-old Avalanna Routh made a lasting impression on one of pop’s biggest stars in 2012 before she died in September. The little girl who hailed from Merrimac, Mass., was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer at nine months old. On the morning of Avalanna’s death, her parents tweeted, “Our darling Avalanna went to Heaven this morning. Oh Avalanna, the brightest star—you took our hearts with you, our greatest Love.” from her account.

It was Justin Bieber, Avalanna’s “husband,” who tweeted one of the year’s most popular messages on the social media site. His simple statement was retweeted more than 225,000 times and favorited more than 100,000 times. The two shared a special bond, created after the singer met her in June.

Canadian pop starlet Carly Rae Jepsen had one of the year’s biggest songs with “Call Me Maybe.” Her bubbly persona was the perfect accompaniment to the tune’s catchy lyrics, but one celebrity in particular seemed frustrated that Jepsen was holding steady at No. 1. Her sentiment was retweeted by her followers more than 19,400 times.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6784401.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6784401/">Which pop singer said she was "coming for" Jepsen in a July tweet?</a></noscript>
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Answer: Lady Gaga

Not one to disappoint, it was good ol’ Gaga. We can’t really tell if she was being vicious or sarcastic, but she didn’t seem too happy that Jepsen broke her record for consecutive weeks at No. 1.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/carlyraejepson">carlyraejepson</a> I SEE you just swooped in and broke my BORN THIS WAY record of the most weeks at #1. DONT GET COMFORTABLE IM COMING FOR YOU</p>&mdash; Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) <a href="https://twitter.com/ladygaga/status/228276995983806464" data-datetime="2012-07-25T23:54:11+00:00">July 25, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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AP

PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’

PSY was virtually unheard of in the United States before 2012, but the South Korean rapper’s “Gangnam Style” splash was heard around the world—and the hit reached the one billion-view mark on Dec. 21. He danced his way into the hearts of nightclubs and celebrities, like one current TV personality who tweeted that she wanted to learn his famous choreography.

Taylor Swift’s album “Red” debuted at No. 1 and continued to top the charts, breaking a record with nine weeks in the top spot. Songs like “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and ”I Knew You Were Trouble” have taken over the airwaves, and at least one famous young actress’s playlist.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6784456.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6784456/">Which celebrity said that the whole 'Red' album speaks to her?</a></noscript>
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Answer: Ashley Tisdale

“High School Musical” star Ashley Tisdale made the note about the record, and also congratulated 23-year-old Swift on her smash hit.

With more than 35 million copies sold of her “50 Shades” trilogy in the United States this year, author E. L. James, whose real name is Erica Leonard (pictured), has made a lasting impact. “Fifty Shades of Grey,” “50 Shades Darker,” and “50 Shades Freed,” all of which were released in 2012, brought in more than a collective $200 million.

The Feb. 11 death of Whitney Houston, one of pop’s most famous voices, stunned fans around the globe. Houston’s friends and fans took to Twitter to pay their respects and praise the legendary songstress in the days following.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6785582.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6785582/">Which rapper compared Houston's voice to that of an angel on the day of her death?</a></noscript>
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Answer: Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean, formerly of the Fugees, tweeted in praise of Houston. He went on to compare her heart to that of a lion, and her presence to that of a goddess.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The voice of an Angel, the Heart of a Lamb, the spirit of a Lioness, the presence of a Goddess, love you R.I.P Whitney Houston</p>&mdash; Wyclef Jean (@wyclef) <a href="https://twitter.com/wyclef/status/168530594807021568" data-datetime="2012-02-11T01:30:39+00:00">February 11, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Scott Humbert

A “Boy Meets World” spinoff was confirmed in November. The show, called “Girl Meets World,” will center around Cory and Topanga’s teenage daughter and it has garnered much attention. One of the show’s stars tweeted about the upcoming reboot and it went viral, with more than 115,000 retweets.

It was none other than Cory Matthews himself — you might also know him by his off-screen name Ben Savage. The little brother of “Wonder Years” star Fred Savage will reprise his role and he seemed super enthused when he announced it in this tweet.

Some celebrities posted tweets, both serious and light-hearted, regarding the controversy.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6785697.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6785697/">What comedian joked in a tweet that he married a man after eating a Chick-fil-A sandwich?</a></noscript>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Had dinner at Chick-fil-A, then I married a man. There was something about that sandwich….</p>&mdash; Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/230160234671390720" data-datetime="2012-07-31T04:37:30+00:00">July 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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AP

Royal baby news

On Dec. 4, St. James’ Palace released a statement that Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and husband Prince William were expecting their first child. Celebrities tweeted congratulatory messages to the couple after hearing of the news.

The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to the hospital because of a severe form of morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy. Pictured: The couple left the King Edward VII hospital in central London on Dec. 6.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6785892.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6785892/">Which reality show personality sent a sweet tweet to the couple?</a></noscript>
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Answer: Kourtney Kardashian

“The X Factor” cohost Kourtney Kardashian sent Prince William and Kate a tweet, complete with smiley face, in response to their baby news.

Rap mogul Jay-Z and his pop/R&B chart-topping wife Beyonce welcomed daughter Blue Ivy Carter into the world in January. Although there was some confusion about the baby’s name (some thought it was Ivy Blue when she was born), fans and friends alike sorted out the mix-up and tweets began to pour into our timelines with word of the news.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6785906.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6785906/">What actress was one of the first to offer her congratulations to the couple?</a></noscript>
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Answer: Gwyneth Paltrow

The couple's friend Gwyneth Paltrow, who celebrated her 40th birthday this year in Beyonce’s company, sent the tweet. Paltrow is married to Coldplay singer Chris Martin and the two couples are good friends — they even reportedly planned to go on vacation in a Winnebago together this summer.

Disco legend and Dorchester native Donna Summer died in May at age 63, and her death weighed heavily on the hearts of her fans, including her celebrity followers. The singer had hits with songs like “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff,” and “Unconditional Love.”

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Answer: Seth Green

Green couldn’t contain his enthusiasm as he tweeted about the film when he left the theater.

From left: Clare Grant and Seth Green arrived at Variety Power of Comedy at Avalon Hollywood on Nov. 17.
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REUTERS

Celebrity weddings

Several celebrities got married this year, but one star couple made headlines for more than just their nuptials. A friend of the groom (not pictured) created a video that was viewed at the reception, which reportedly mocked homeless people. The groom, who was married in a small ceremony in a resort in Italy later apologized in a public letter on his website for his friend’s shennanigans.

Above: A bodyguard stood outside the resort during a pre-wedding party for this couple.

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Reality singing competitions continue to flood the tube and it seems like they are gaining momentum with veteran pop stars like Britney Spears and Demi Lovato joining “The X Factor,” and Usher and Shakira slated to replace Cee-Lo and Christina Aguilera on “The Voice” next season. Celebs are jumping on the bandwagon and sitting in the audiences of the shows, including the cast of “Jersey Shore,” which stopped by the first of two “The X Factor” live finale shows on Dec. 19.

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Pictured: The “X Factor” judges (from left) L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears, and Simon Cowell at the premiere of Fox's "The X Factor" Season 2 and handprint ceremony at the Chinese Theatre.
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Answer: Vinny

Vinny Guadagnino, who has used his Twitter account to help fund-raise for the restoration of Staten Island after Hurrican Sandy, posted a tweet early on Dec. 20, praising each of the remaining competitors. Fans of Guadagnino and his castmates said goodbye to “Jersey Shore” that morning, one night after the “X Factor” appearance, when the show’s series finale aired on MTV.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Carly rose is pound for pound best artist there BUT 5th harmony put on a show tonight. Tate is also really good so it's a toss up</p>&mdash; Vinny Guadagnino (@VINNYGUADAGNINO) <a href="https://twitter.com/VINNYGUADAGNINO/status/281633907680636928" data-datetime="2012-12-20T05:35:30+00:00">December 20, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

LeBron James had a banner year, literally. The 27-year-old Miami Heat star not only took home his first NBA championship ring after a five-game series with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he was also crowned the MVP of the NBA Finals, Sports Illustrated’s sportsman of the year, and the MVP of the USA Olympic men’s basketball team (which also took home a first place title). Celebrity friends, fans, and even James’s competitors tweeted words of praise for the King.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/6786029.js"></script> <noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6786029/">Which former Heat player congratulated James twice in the same tweet?</a></noscript>
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AP

Answer: Shaq

Former Celtics big man Shaquille O'Neal was responsible for the enthusiastic tweet. We like it almost as much as we like this picture of the retired baller in his Santa hat.